In a quintessential California moment, Gov. Gavin Newsom presented the state’s delegates to Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention, ceremonially nominating her for president.
Surrounded by members of the California delegation, including civil rights and labor leader Dolores Huerta, Rep. Maxine Waters of Los Angeles, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks and House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, Newsom spoke as he cast the state’s 482 votes.
“I’ve had the privilege of watching that future take shape for over 20 years with a star in an Alameda [County] “I saw that star. I saw that star fighting for criminal justice, racial justice, social justice. I saw that star shine even brighter as the attorney general of California, as a United States senator, and as the vice president of the United States of America. It’s time for us to do the right thing and make Kamala Harris the next president of the United States of America.”
Harris had already received the votes of 99% of the participating delegates earlier in August at the Democratic National Committee meeting virtual name call voting.
It’s a turning point in the political futures of both Harris and Newsom, two Democratic stars from the Golden State. One is now running for the top office, the other will step down in January 2027.
Both have made their mark in San Francisco politics. He was the mayor, she was the district attorney. The two were once seen as rivals for higher office.
In 2015, when then-U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer announced she would not seek re-election, then-Lieutenant Governor Newsom sat out the race to campaign for governor.
Harris quickly entered the race, winning in 2016 over then-Orange County Rep. Loretta Sanchez.
Harris and Newsom have long been seen as potential future Democratic presidential candidates.
Newsom has maintained a high profile in the Democratic Party, often criticism of former President Donald Trump And debate with former Republican candidate and current Florida Governor Ron DeSantisNewsom is also an outspoken supporter of abortion rights and gun control at national level.
Newsom campaigned for President Joe Biden this year and initially remained one of his most loyal supporters after Biden’s debate stumbles, rejecting calls for the president to resign from the Democratic ticket.
“I will never turn my back on President Biden. Never turn my back on President Biden, I don’t know of a Democrat in my party who would do that,” he said after the debate.
When the president announced last month that he would withdraw from the race and endorse Harris, Newsom said said it was “the last thing he expected.”
But now Newsom and California are fully backing Harris for president.
